Beloved Friends and Families with Kids,
We have some dates for you to mark on your calendars, so make sure you read on for all the information about Palm Sunday and our upcoming Kids Camp this summer! I pray you have whatever kind of weekend your family most needs—be that of rest, play, adventure, or a combination of all those. One reminder for tomorrow morning: Our beloved building is old and still in process of getting heating and cooling updates, so it's been pretty chilly in our kid classes upstairs. Parents, please remind your children to dress warmly or encourage them to bring an extra layer or coat. Thanks, and hope to see you tomorrow!
Palm Sunday | Kids and Youth Singing
We are so excited for our kids and youth to lead us in worship on Sunday, March 24, for our Palm Sunday service! They will begin practicing on Sundays during our kids and youth time each week, and Pastor Mary and I can verify that your kids are great singing worshippers. Because they will be joining Pastor Leslie and the adult choir in processing with palm branches at the start of the service, we need them here at 9:30 AM that Sunday to practice and get set for the morning. We'll have some pastries and coffee for parents at that time so you can hang out together. It's going to be such a fun morning! To help your kids practice at home (and to have a family dance party), here are links to the song and lyric sheet. You could invite them to teach you the words, too!
Save the Date: Kids Camp!
We are already making plans for camp this summer, so parents please mark your calendars for June 24-28. We are excited to reveal our new camp theme (shhh…not yet, though!) and to help our kids encounter God's love together with people from our church family. I know it's only February, but we have learned in years past that parents plan early for summer camps and trips, so we hope it's helpful to get the dates to you now. We can't wait for summer fun together!
Local Engagement
And if you're still looking for some meaningful family time, it's not too late to check out the 42nd annual Black History Parade and Festival on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 10am-4pm with the theme “Past, Present, Future: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Jackie Robinson.” The festival goes until 4pm this afternoon. See flyer for more details.
SUNDAY
KIDS
Our nursery room is open this Sunday for babies and toddlers four years old and under. Childcare will be open starting at 8:50 AM for those who are attending Sunday School before service. This week our nursery kids will explore the story of Daniel with the lionsl. Don't forget to grab a take-home sheet with some simple ways to engage the story at home.
Our kids five to ten years old will join us in the sanctuary for the start of worship and then be dismissed to head to their classrooms together. They can begin service with their families or sit with Pastor Mary and me in the front pews. This week they will continue to talk about love from scripture and our lives, and they'll make some love notes and treats to share with others. It's going to be a fun morning as always with our kids!
Discussion Questions for the Table at Home:
What are some powerful images for you when you think about what love is?
What are some moments when you felt loved in the last week?
What acts of kindness and love do you enjoy sharing with others?
YOUTH
This week the youth are back on for their regular youth gathering and lunch after worship! Parents, be on the lookout for an email with retreat information coming soon.
Have a wonderful weekend, and thanks for being such a special community of families!
With deep affection for you,
Pastor Lindsay